Linux in consumer electronics

Posted Oct 19, 2007 2:24 UTC (Fri) by clamiam (guest, #42029)
Parent article: Linux in consumer electronics

I knew about Tivo, but I was really surprised when setting up a Hitachi plasma TV for my
parents.  I was leafing through the manual when I came across the GPL!  It appears that this
model uses Linux as well as several bits of GNU software.

The article mentions that upgrades "would be handled by service centers", however this TV is
unique in its upgrade method.  You simply call Hitachi's support line (they're pretty nice, in
my experience) and request an upgrade card.  A few days later, you get a bubble-envelope with
an MMC card and a smaller, self-addressed, stamped bubble-envelope.  Just click the card into
the slot on the back of the set and hit the "upgrade" entry in the menu, and you're done.
Then put the MMC card into the smaller envelope and drop it in the mail.

The best part about this is the little notice they send along with the card.  It says
something to the effect of "PLEASE RETURN THE UPGRADE CARD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.  Customers who
do not return the card in a reasonable amount of time will receive lower priority when
requesting future upgrades."